Moving to Carshalton or Wallington

[TwinkleBigStsr]

Hello,

I’m hoping that I’ll be able to get some some advice that will help me and DH fibd the right location in Carshalton to buy our house. We’re currently residing in Forest Hill SE23, a lovely part of SE London but we need to make the move as our DD1 will be staring secondary school in Carshalton in September. Too much for an 11 yr d to commute, especially in the winter months. So we’re desperately viewing houses every other day to try and MAke it happen ASAP.

Our preferred location is Carshalton Beeches, but we’ve nkt rkubd the right house- losing out because we’ve been out bid and also because some of the houses haven’t been quite right. So we’re open up our search a lithe to include Carshalton Village, lovely house opposite the leisure centre which we lost out on and recently a property near Mill lane * Butter Hill on Lyndon Avenue. It seems a little remote there , especially from what we’re used to, as we currently live close to a pretty little high street.

Scared to make the wrong decision, as we have to think about after school care for DD
2 and DS3.

Just need some advice please on areas to stay away from.

Don’t want to rush and make the wrong decision so any help/ advice would be greatly appreciated.
Max budget £530k- 3 bed.

Thanks you 🤗

I live in Carshalton and it's a great place to live. Butter Hill area may seem remote, especially when compared to Forest Hill, but it's easily within walking distance/a short drive to amenities, however traffic in that area can be bad at peak times.

I would avoid the St Helier estate area and around The Circle/Middleton Road.

I wouldn't move here. Wallington and Carshalton have recently been served with a section 60 that means a stop and search order is currently in place.
There has been a huge surge in moped crime and teenage mugging and assault.
Burglaries have gone through the roof and a huge parking permit only restriction is about to come in.
We're out of here ASAP.

We'll yes, like any London borough, it had it's issues, but Sutton has the lowest crime rate of all the London boroughs, and personally, I think the section 60 is a good thing and more areas should be doing it to tackle knife crime.

Excuse typos!

@FizzyMakeFeelNice @Mof3K

Thanks you so
Much for your replies. I’m extremely grateful.

The safety of the area was one of my main concerns. Growing up and living in London (Peckham/ Crystal Palace/ Forest Hill) all my life, I’m pretty street savvy, but of ourselves what to protect my children as much as possible, so if there are certain areas I can/ should abound I will.

But as a whole, I feel Carshalton is lovely, we will definitely be moving to the area this year, it helps to know how others are finding it good and bad so that we can make a conscious decision as to where in the area we buy.
Great to know re the traffic, and that as per my thoughts it’s generally a nice area. @Mof3K would you mind if I asked which part of Carshalton you reside? Beeches, Village or closer to Hackbridge? The St. Helier area is a definite No No for us.

.... pls keep the responses coming.

🤗🤗

I love Carshalton their is houses for sale on Groveside close just down from the station it's quite close to the circle shops however there isn't really trouble there it's the same you'd get anywhere maybe kids hanging around chatting certainly not drugs or street drinkers etc. 15 minutes walk in the opposite direction you've got Carshalton train station and the duck pond houses go for around £400k for a 3/4 bedroom x

@anitagreen. Thanks for sharing this insight. Great to know. I’ve looked up Groveside and you’re right, there are a few houses that are listed for sake.

DD1 had her induction day today, we managed to squeeze in a few viewings after.... all the tips thus far has been invaluable. Thank you 🤗🤗🤗

As mentioned above, the borough is as safe as they get in London and honestly I can't think of anywhere actually dodgy (including the not-so-pretty and not-so-well-off St Helier. The kids in comps there are actually very well behaved and I can compare to over 100 London schools that I've worked in).

Anyway, I take it your daughter is going to St Phils? Are you looking for your younger ones to go to St Mary's or are you considering non-Catholic primaries and their catchments?

Commutes to consider?

Carshalton Village is lovely with great amenities for little ones, Carshalton Beeches is a bit of sleepy-ville but close to a climbing wall and fields, Wallington has nice period houses and a bland high street, Hackbridge has nothing there (bar a station and a good tile shop).

Other option could be Sutton (has a big town centre).
Here's a spectacular flat in a nice road
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-82736108.html
Not sure if it might be a bit far for St Mary's so you'd need to check.

PS The linked flat is in the catchment for Barrow Hedges (the school in Carshalton Beeches). The nearest primary to it is Devonshire (decent school in line with the national averages for different measures but the borough is one of the leading LAs in England so Devonshire isn't desirable by local standards).

@JoJoSM2 this is brilliant; thank you so much!!

Yes St. Phils abs Yes St. Mary’s; gosh you’re good!!
DD1 starting in September, and once we at least get to exchanging on a property we’ve been told we can get solicitors letters to confirm address in the area for DD2 and DS1 to get a place. I guess I should check that it’s in catchment.....

Commute to Central London for me and hubby is a green badge black cabbie. I checked and it’s a 13 minute walk to station. Not what I’m used to but good way to lose a few pounds.

Great to have of this info and experience of ppl living + working in the area.

2nd viewing on a property by Mill Lane , 8-9 minutes walk to village. It wasn’t our preferred location but house is lovely and can mi e straight in.

I’ll keep posted.
Thank you ❤️

... that apartment is amazing. And definitely a good idea to extend search area which were doing now so thanks again

Good luck with the second viewing! Whilst not your top location pick, Mill Lane is very convenient for the park, the leisure centre and library, the high street etc so you could just walk places easily.

Are your other children of primary age already? I suppose you don't need to worry about proximity to a particular school too much as the council will just tell you where there are spaces in the relevant year groups.

I don't get the pp making it sound like a crime central - as someone else said it's about the lowest crime London Borough!

I live in Wallington but would love to live in carshalton but moovings not an option!

Anywhere around the village is lovely - my favoured roads would be the square, Talbot road although I think you do pay for that location!

Mill lane is a good spot as well - really near station but also on doorstep of park and leisure centre. Trains are good from carshalton. In the afternoon I get the quick one to carshalton and it's 25 minutes from Victoria.

My only concern about butter hill location would be traffic - one end you come out by the rose and crown the other by mill lane and at times they can get very congested and sometimes complete gridlock - there is a tiny section by the rose and crown where it's alternate traffic and it can go wrong!

Wellington is probably a bit cheaper but trains Are not as good - Although is you go for the carshalton side around park lane area you can still walk to carshalton station in 20 minutes or so.

Carshalton beeches has nice houses but much of that area is not served as well by buses and again you are on the slower Wallington line.

Also good bus links to morden from either for the tube.

I've lived in Carshalton over 20 years and it has been a very safe place with excellent schools. I live near the ponds/church, close to the high street and less than 20 mins walk to the station. See if there are houses for sale around Brookside, Carshalton Place, Talbot Road, The Square.

Sorry that should have said less than 10 mins walk 😂

@Toomanycats99 @ShinyShinyFace. Fab!!! We missed out on a 3 bed house on westcroft road opposite leisure centre , so good to have recommendations of other close to the village. Checking out talbot and the square, the place and Brookside.

Great info re the traffic!! The property were 2nd on is Lyndon Avenue so it will be affected I’m sure. I don’t suppose anyone knows much of that road. It’s just iff Butter Hill.

Much appreciated All 🤗

I don't know any more about Lyndon road other than it's off butter hill! I think I had a childminder there for a while.

Looks like there is a 3 bed in shorts road at the moment which is tucked behind st Phils.

It's mostly one way street but imagine does get very busy at pickup (and car boot!) time

There's also one in Derek Avenue for sale. That's just near Wallington green lights so carshalton / Wallington border.

Quite a nice road from what I know. Can walk into carshalton and Wallington (bigger choice of supermarkets etc) from there.

@Toomanycats99 you are a star 🌟. Thank you!!!
I’ve seen the one in shorts road, wasn’t quite right but i’ll have a look on Derek Road.

🤗

There's also a 4bed in Taylor road which is a nice road between carshalton and Wallington but that's £575.

Sorry...another tho g...... as a pp referred to they are bringing in parking restrictions. I think some roads have been ruled out but if I remember mill lane was one of the areas getting some - May only be at the carshalton end but may have a knock on effect. Plans are available online. I think the village is in the phase 2 area.

I've worked in Sutton for 15 years and visited carshalton 2 weeks ago for the first time ever, it seemed nice enough! Can recommend a pub called the Sun very highly

I used to live in Carshalton. Preferred it to Sutton where I spent my formative years. My little sister went to St Phils. We lived along the cul de sac opposite the big gates entrance.
I used to work at the pub wine bar called The Old Ducks but I think it's known by its original name The Woodman now.
I have nothing but fond memories of the area but have nothing but nostalgia to add to this thread
Good luck OP

@TwinkleBigStsr

How have you been getting on OP? Did you put in an offer after your second viewing?

@JoJoSM2 thanks for checking in. Yes we’ve put an offer in, fingers crossed 🤞 😊We spent Saturday in Carshalton, mainly so that DD1 can do the journey from ‘new house’ to school and it wasn’t too bad. 9 minute walk to bus stop the 5 minute bus journey.
@KnickerBockerGlooooory
On our route we stopped by at the sun and You’re right it was lovely!!!

I’ll keep you posted , so far so great 🤗